A Love That Will Last - Chapter 1

As she replayed that moment in her mind for the millionth time that day, Betty Suarez didn't even notice what time it was until her co-worker Diane came into her office.

"Hey Betty, I need your signature on this before you leave."

"Huh? Leave?" Betty asked in a daze.

"Yes leave. You said to let you know when it was 5 o'clock because you had to prepare for a dinner later."

"Oh right, I'm sorry I totally forgot. My heads in the clouds today."

"Or just since lunch, so what happened exactly?"

"What are you talking about? Nothing happened, I just ran into an old friend who wants to get together for dinner tonight. Why would that be weird? Cause it's not."

"Wow, whoever they are they really did a number on you. Is it safe to say it's a guy?"

"It's not a guy, well I mean yes Daniel is a guy because he's certainly not a woman. I mean, have you ever heard of a woman named Daniel, no right. Right, so let me just sign this and then I'll be on my way."

Betty snatched the file out of Diane's hand and scribbled her signature before handing it back to her, muttering a goodbye and heading out of the office. Betty knew if she stayed around any longer she'd have to suffer through more questions. She really liked Diane but boy could that woman get you worked up. So she had dinner plans with Daniel, they've gone to dinner before. Of course he'd never come all the way to another country to ask her before. Betty needed someone to talk to and as she got to her apartment, or flat as they say in London, she couldn't think of anyone else to call but her Scottish best friend.

"Hello?"

"Christina hey, what's up girlfriend?"

"Okay what's wrong?"

"What? Nothings wrong I just wanted to call and say hi. Is that such a crime?"

"It is when you start talking like Betty from the block, now spill."

Betty took a deep breath before uttering it out in one long sentence.

"Okay so today I'm walking back to the office from a lunch meeting and you will never guess who I ran into. I'll tell you, I ran into Daniel."

"Daniel? As in Daniel Meade? As in your old boss at Mode? The same arse that let you go off to London without so much as a goodbye, that Daniel Meade?"

"Yes, so anyway we sit down and talk and he tells me that he left Mode and made Wilhelmina sole editor in chief."

"You're serious?"

"Wait there's more, so then he tells me he was sorry for not seeing me before I left and after I asked him if he's going back to New York and he says that he's gonna stay around here for a while, as in London. And after that he asked if he could take me to dinner, tonight."

"Whoa, Daniel asked you out? Like on a date?"

"What no, don't be silly. It's just dinner."

"Well if it's just dinner then why are you driving yourself crazy?"

"I don't know."

"Well if you ask me it sounds like he asked you out and came halfway across the bloody world to do it. So … what are you gonna wear?"

"What does it matter what I wear?"

"Well don't you know by now? What you wear sets the tone for the dinner. Dress too sexy and it's a date, dress casual and it's just a dinner between friends."

"Well what about what he's wearing?"

"Trust me, you know Daniel better than anyone. You'll know if it's a date or not. So like I was saying before, what are you going to wear?"

"I have no idea. It's like I completely forgot what's in my closet."

"Ooh what about that dress I sent you when you first came out here. You know the navy blue one?"

"What? No way, that dress sets way too much of a date-y tone, don't you think?"

"Trust me, wear that dress. It'll be fine you'll see."

"I don't know Christina."

"Oh for Pete's sake if you don't wear that dress I'll come over there and put it on you myself."

"Okay fine I'll wear the dress."

"Good, now how are you gonna do your hair?"

"Hold on Christina, I'm getting another call."

Betty looked at her phone screen and immediately saw Daniels picture.

"Oh my god, it's him."

"Okay go on, answer it. I'll call you tomorrow to see how the date went. Bye."

Christina hung up before Betty could retort. She instead rolled her eyes and answered the call.

"Daniel, hi."

"Hey Betty, um I'm just calling to see what time you want me to pick you up for dinner tonight?"

"Um, okay. How about 8 o'clock?"

"Sounds great, I guess I'll see you at 8 then. Okay bye."

"Bye."

Was it Betty's imagination or did Daniel sound … nervous. He sounded like he did when he was putting off doing something because he was uneasy. Was he still mad at her and reconsidering dinner? That wasn't the impression she got earlier when they talked. Could it be … it's not that crazy to think, Mrs. Meade did mention something to her at her going away party. When she first heard it she thought it was just Mrs. Meade being her eccentric self, but could there be some truth to that? Did Daniel have feelings for her? And more so did she have feelings for him?

"So I'm definitely wearing the blue dress then."

She said as she headed off to shower before getting dressed.

Betty checked herself once more in the mirror before her doorbell rang. She went and pressed the intercom button.

"Hello, Daniel?"

"Yeah it's me, I'm downstairs."

"Okay, I'll be right down."

"You sure? I can come up."

"No, it's no problem. Be down in a jiffy."

Jiffy? What the heck is a jiffy? Well, Betty didn't have time to worry about that, instead she put on her coat, grabbed her bag and made her way downstairs. There were two doors at the entrance of her apartment building, one wooden and one frosted glass. Once she opened the wooden door she could see a blurry man leaning against a car. She closed the glass door behind her and turned around just as a gust of wind came by, sweeping her hair behind her. And when she looked up, there he was. Leaning against the town car, wind blowing in his mess of hair as he smiled at her. Betty looked at him as she made her way down, eyeing his outfit trying to make heads or tails of this whole date thing, as Daniel moved from the car and walked towards her. Betty was so focused on Daniel, she forgot to watch where she was stepping and ended up placing her foot on the edge of the step, causing her to fall forward. She closed her eyes, waiting to feel the cold, hard, concrete, but instead she fell into something warm. It was Daniel's arms, he had seen her falling and filled the space between her and the floor. He caught her and lifted her slightly, placing her feet first on the sidewalk beside him.

"I see some things haven't changed." he said with a chuckle.

"Yes well, not even moving an ocean away could change that. Thanks for catching me."

"Anytime. So you hungry yet?"

"I'm starving, someone hogged my lunch hour today."

"Well I'm sure someone, is more than going to make it up to you. Shall we?" Daniel said as he held the car door open for Betty. She gave him a smile and slid in the town car. He followed and then they were off.

"So where are we going?" Betty asked.

"Oh it's a great little spot I found on one of my business trips. You're gonna love it."

"Oh great. I'm really glad we're doing this."

"Me too. I … no never mind, it's not important."

"What? Tell me?"

"It's nothing, I was just debating whether or not to get you flowers."

Flowers? That definitely sounds like a date thing.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, but I thought they might be a little … oh we're here."

Betty silently cursed their quick trip, she wanted to know why Daniel didn't bring her flowers. Was it because he didn't want her to think this was a date? Or because it was one and he didn't want to be cliché? Her train of thought was interrupted by Daniel extending his hand to her as they got out of the car. For a second she thought she was having deja` vu of Hilda's wedding, when Daniel extended his hand asking her to dance. She placed hers in his and couldn't help but smile up at Daniel. Once she was out of the car his hand gently slid from hers as he offered his arm in its place. Betty linked her arm in his as they made their way inside. Once they walked inside Betty could see clearly the ambiance. Dark lighting, candles everywhere as well as couples. It seemed everywhere she turned people were on dates, which begged the question, was she on one?

"Hello and welcome back Mr. Meade. We have your regular table set up in the back, please follow me."

"Regular table?" Betty asked both wearily and excited.

Daniel didn't answer, but instead chuckled and took a deep breath as he led Betty through the restaurant. They arrived at a table for two against the wall as the maitre `d turned to them and said.

"May I take your coats?"

Betty opened her coat and slid it down her arms, handing it to him. She gave him a smile of thanks before hearing Daniel's voice.

"Wow Betty, you look amazing. Great dress."

"Thanks, Christina sent it to me as a welcome present. I haven't even worn it yet, I was waiting for a special occasion. And what could be more special than friends reuniting."

She said as calmly as she could. Was she being flirty of off putting, even she couldn't tell. Daniel didn't say anything, he just gave her a smile and went to pull out her chair for her, but the maitre `d beat him to it. They sat down and were handed menus. Betty listened as Daniel told her what was good and as she sat there Betty decided that she wasn't going to ruin her evening trying to figure out of this was a date or not. She was just going to enjoy herself and enjoy quality time with Daniel, which if she was being honest was something she had been sorely missing.

Once Betty put her mind to rest, dinner went great. She and Daniel laughed and talked through all the courses. Before she knew it they were finishing dessert, and that's when the check came. Daniel reached for it, but Betty being who she was spoke up.

"Daniel you don't have to, I'd be more than happy to …"

"Don't even think about it. I invited you out remember, besides you can consider this my official apology for how I behaved before you left."

Betty didn't give him anymore of an argument, although it did raise the question she had abandoned at the beginning of their meal. One of the first things her sister had taught her about dating was that if the guy paid it was a date, and as much as Betty had enjoyed herself tonight, she needed to put this to bed once and for all. As they got up to leave, their coats were returned to them. Daniel helped Betty put hers on before putting on his own and slipping the Maitre`D a tip.

"Always a pleasure sir. I hope you two have a wonderful rest of your night."

"Thank you." Daniel said, before placing his hand on Betty's back and leading her back the way they came. When they got outside Betty was perturbed to see the street was empty.

"Where's the car?" she asked.

"Actually, I was thinking we could maybe go for a walk. It's such a nice night."

"Sounds great."

Betty said as she felt nervous all of a sudden. A walk? What did he mean by a walk?

"You okay?" he asked.

"Fine, why?" she lied.

"Because when I suggested we go for a walk you turned white like a ghost. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, I was just thinking. Other than it being a nice night, is there another reason you wanted to take a walk?" she inquired, hoping she wasn't being too obvious about where this was going.

"Okay, you caught me." Daniel started as Betty's heart leaped to her throat.

"I just didn't want tonight to end yet. I mean I've missed you and now that you're a big magazine editor I didn't know how much time you'd be able to give me."

Betty let out a sigh of relief, so this was a thing just between friends. If that was the case she should be happy, right?

"Daniel, you know I'll always make time for you. If our friendship has shown anything, it's that. I've missed you too you know."

"Good, when you left I thought you'd forgotten about me."

"I could never." she said as she linked her arm with his and pulled him down the busy London street.

They walked around for what seemed like forever, talking about everything from her new job, to what Daniel had been doing in his spare time. They walked by a row of houses with flowers poking out of the iron gate bars, and as they passed one with yellow petals Daniel picked one and handed it to Betty.

"Here you go, best money can buy."

"Why thank you. You know these remind me of the flowers I had at my going away party."

"Yeah, you're right they do."

"Wait, how would you know that?"

"Well, I may have stood outside and watched it. I couldn't bring myself to go in though."

"Why not?" Betty asked, awaiting his answer.

"Well you leaving was really hard for me, and I didn't think I could handle saying goodbye. You should know though, my mom tried really hard to get me inside."

"Yeah, I saw her that night." it was at that moment Betty decided that it's now or never and to just go for it.

"She said something interesting to me."

"What?"

"Well I asked her if you were coming, and if you hated me for leaving. And she said that you didn't hate me, it was just that me leaving was really hard for you … and that you might not even realize why."

As soon as she said that, they both went quiet.

"Really? What did she think was the reason?"

Betty took a deep breath as she realized they were standing in front of her building. She walked up a couple of steps, before sitting down.

"She thought that, maybe, you had feelings for me."

"Feelings?" Daniel said sitting down next to her.

"Yeah, crazy right? Sounds like she had one to many glasses of champagne."

"You know she said the same thing to me, right before I offered you that promotion. She said I was acting out because of it and that I needed to give you a reason to stay."

They sat in silence for a moment before Betty finally spoke.

"Well, is it true?"

Daniel looked up at her and took a beat before answering.

"Honestly, I don't know. I mean I've thought about it ever since you left. Nothing was the same and it didn't take me long to realize why. I know leaving Mode was the right decision, I haven't regretted it since the day I left. But even after that something was still bothering me and I thought maybe if I made things right with you that would fix it."

"And did it?"

"Well I definitely feel better, but that wasn't it. I guess I just can't get what my mother said out of my mind. What about you?"

"Daniel, I don't know what to say. To be honest I've been trying to figure out if tonight was a date or not. And all I can come up with is that we have a good time together, we always have."

"Betty look, all I know is that I feel like there's something more here, and if you feel that too don't you think that we both deserve to see what can become of it." Daniel said as he stood up on the step.

"Daniel, I don't know what I feel. But I do know that I've missed having you in my life and if we go down that road, there's no turning back. We've always been really close, that can get confusing for anyone. I just know that I don't want to lose you again." Betty said as she stood up. Daniel let out a huff before giving her a smile and saying

"You're probably right, as usual. I promise you're not going to lose me okay. You mean too much to me for me to let that ever happen … again." Daniel said as he pulled her in for a hug. Betty squeezed him like her life depended on it. She felt uneasy, but knew that they were doing the right thing. They both pulled away, while still holding onto each other.

"You okay?" he asked

"I have you back in my life, I'm great."

"Good, well I guess I should get going. You probably have an early morning tomorrow."

"Well why don't you stop by, you can bring that resume. You do still want to stay in London, don't you?"

"Of course, I think I just need to find the right magazine for me. Go on a little journey of discovery, that's what this trip was about after all."

"Good, well goodnight Daniel." Betty said, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She pulled away, suddenly realizing how close they were and before she knew it her lips were on his. She had no idea who initiated the kiss but all of a sudden she didn't care. It wasn't like anything she'd experienced before. They both pulled back for a second, before Daniel pounced with a kiss that was both passionate and tender, while at the same time sweet. They stopped kissing when a gust of cold wind hit their cheeks. With their faces still an inch away from each other, Betty was the first to speak.

"Well, there's definitely something there."

"Yeah, I'll say."

"When did that happen." Betty said, breathless and flustered.

"I have no idea, one day you were just Betty and the next I'm flying across the world to find you."

"So, you really want to see what happens? Because there's no going back after we cross that line."

"I'm pretty sure that line was destroyed by that kiss."

"Probably, so now what? We date?"

"Well I'm pretty sure we're way past the getting to know you phase. How about we just be us, with some more kissing." Daniel said as he gave her a sweet peck.

"Wait Daniel, we just jumped from zero to sixty and you know what?"

"What?"

"It's not weird, or awkward. Right? I am completely at ease."

"Me too, its like, oh I'm kissing Betty. No big deal."

"I think this is going to be okay."

"Me too. Now I'm going to walk away before I ruin it."

"Okay, but first." Betty said before pulling him in for another kiss.

"Yup, still good."

"Mhmm, so you wanna have lunch tomorrow?"

"I would love to. Just come by my office tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight Betty."

"Goodnight Daniel."

Betty felt cold once she was out of Daniel's arms, but it didn't really bother her. She watched as Daniel walked around her corner and had to pinch herself to make sure she didn't just dream what happened. She and Daniel had just stepped into a new place, and it felt great, natural even. Now she had to run upstairs and call Christina and thank her for making her wear the blue dress.